What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSucrose Distearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Water, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sucrose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAzelaic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingWater, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Citrus Grandis Extract, Xanthan Gum, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Parfum, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water